IN THIS ISSUE : Church Announcements .................................................. page 2 Church-wide Calendar ..................................................... page 3 A Letter from Pastor Ross ................................................ page 4 Music Ministry ................................................................. page 5 Adult Discipleship ........................................................... page 6 Bible Studies & More ....................................................... page 7 Encore Ministry ............................................................... page 8 A Letter From The Editor .................................................. page 9 Student Ministry .............................................................. page 10 Children’s Ministry ......................................................... page 11 Preschool Ministry .......................................................... page 12 FBC School ..................................................................... page 13 Special Announcements .................................................. page 14 From Troy’s Heart ............................................................ page 15
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS Coming February 26 - 28 Disciple Now Weekend Go to www.fbc-brenham.org Event Information to sign up your student.
Brenham’s FBC
Champion Fellowship
Welcome New Church Members: Eric Truelson and Darlene Denman
CHURCH STAFF
Ross Shelton, Pastor rshelton@fbc-brenham.org Troy Sikes, Associate Pastor tsikes@fbc-brenham.org Charles Covin, Music Minister ccovin@fbc-brenham.org Alex Morrison, Minister to Children amorrison@fbc-brenham.org Chad Marrs, Minister to Students cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org Stacey Strickland, Preschool Ministry sstrickland@fbc-brenham.org
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Teresa McGlasson, Office Manager tmcglasson@fbc-brenham.org Annette Guenther, Comptroller aguenther@fbc-brenham.org Donella Peevler, Church Receptionist dpeevler@fbc-brenham.org Ernie Lewis, Graphic/Media Tech elewis@fbc-brenham.org O’Dell Merryman, Facilities Manager omerryman@fbc-brenham.org Nancy Jahns, Acting School Administrator njahns@fbcsbrenham.org Kristie Mendoza, Mother’s Day Out Director mdo@fbc-brenham.org
CHURCH-WIDE CALENDAR FEBRUARY: 1 Camp Tejas Registration Meeting - Room 224 Kidz Klubhouse 6:00pm 2 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am 7 Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30 & 11:00am 9 Security Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:00pm 9 Adam’s Angels - Sycamore Garage 6:00pm 11 Relocation Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:30pm 14 Handbell Choir-Worship Service - Sanctuary - 8:30am 15 SchoolClosed/EEC Open - President’s Day 18 Church Office Closed - Texas Ministry Conference 25 Encore Catered Luncheon - Pahl Garage $5 a person 11:00am 26-28 D-Now Weekend - Gym/Sanctuary 7:00pm 28 Discernment Process with Church and School - Gym 4:00pm MARCH: 1 Piece Makers - Student Center 9:00am 4 FBCS Texas Celebration - Drive Thru Only - Washington County Fair Grounds 5:00pm 6 Lord’s Supper Observance 8:30am & 11:00am 6 Deacons Meeting - Room 111 2:00pm 6 Church Council Meeting - Room 112 4:00pm 8 Security Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:00pm 8 Adam’s Angels - Sycamore Garage 6:00pm 10 School Spring Performance/Open House - Sanctuary 6:00pm 10 Relocation Committee Meeting - Pahl Livingroom 6:30pm 13-19 Penitas Family Mission Trip 14-18 FBCS Spring Break/EEC Open CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. First Baptist Church Contact Info: Ph: (979) 836-2807 Fax: (979) 830-0122 info@fbc-brenham.org Mailing address: PO Box 600, Brenham, TX 77834 LINKS TO CHECK OUT ONLINE CHURCH & SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.fbc-brenham.org CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/BrenhamsFirstBaptistChurch SCHOOL FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/Brenhamfbcs
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UPCOMING & SUMMER EVENTS FEBRUARY D-NOW Weekend - February 26 - 28, in the gym. Cost: $40. MARCH Penitas Family Mission Trip - March 13 -19, cost is $129. Contact Chad at cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org for more information. JUNE Church Wide Picnic - On our 33 acres June 1 from 6:00 - 7:30pm. VBS @ Brenham’s FBC - MOVE with God as we MOVE into the summer with the MOVE VBS. June 6 - 9 at the church from 5:30 - 8:30pm. beTWEENtime Mission Trip - An out of town mission opportunity for beTWEENtimers to practice some of what they have been learning about how to be a disciple. June 11 - 18 all day. Contact Alex at amorrison@fbc-brenham.org for more information. Fuge Camp - Glorieta, NM June 21 - 28, $50 deposit. JULY Bless The Community - July 6 in the gym from 3:00 - 7:00pm. More information to come. Encore VBS - July 6 - 8 in the gym from 9:00am - 12:30pm. Camp Tejas - July 11 - 15. 3rd - 6th grades. To sign up your student, go to www.fbc-brenham.org Event Information Honduras Mission - July 19 - 27, $100 deposit. Contact Chad at cmarrs@fbc-brenham.org for more information. AUGUST Church Ice Cream Social/Honduras Mission Testimonies August 3 in the gym from 5:30 - 7:30pm. 2:4 The Mission - 2:4 The Mission is a 24 hour lock-in for kids who have completed 1st & 2nd grades. It focuses kids on the wide world of missions with fun, projects, games and a little bit of sleep. August 10 - 11 at 1:00pm in the gym. 4
WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY God is continuing to work and move in the life of the music ministry and we are so grateful! We are currently in the process of selecting choir officers to serve in various ways in the Worship Choir. It has reminded us about the ways that we are all called to serve the body of Christ. There is no job that we should take on (inside OR outside the church) because we seek power, notoriety, or comfort. Rather, we die to ourselves – the way Jesus did, (“…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” Matt. 20:28) and to serve. Are you pouring out as much as you are being poured into? Is God calling you – not out of mere obligation, but love (“For Christ’s love compels us… that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Cor. 5:14-15) to serve Him and serve His bride in a new way this year? I encourage you to say “yes.” Get plugged in and be an instrument in the hands of the great virtuoso! If this happens to be in the area of the worship ministry, I’d love to talk with you. Blessings, Charles
WORSHIP JOHN 4:23-24
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ADULT MINISTRIES Experiencing God Sunday Bible Study Series We are hearing great things from our Sunday Bible Studies about the Experiencing God series. Since January 10, each Bible Study class has been working through The Seven Truths of Experiencing God. The study will finish on Sunday, February 21st. This month we will examine: Truth 5: God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. Truth 6: You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. Truth 7: You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.
PIECE MAKERS Piece Makers is a growing group of women who want to stitch for the Lord. We delivered three denim lap quilts in January to three men who are members of FBC living in Kruse Village. New projects include making walker bags for an area nursing home and baby sacks for an orphanage of handicapped infants in Colombia. Two of our quilts benefitting FBC School will be displayed in the church hallway this month before being auctioned at the Texas Celebration Event on March 4. Below is a sneak peek at the I Spy Quilt and the Picnic Quilt in school colors. Anyone is welcome to join Piece Makers which meets the first Tuesday of the month at 9 am in the Student Center. Questions? Contact Sara Byman at 979-830-8555.
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BIBLE STUDIES & MORE CONNECT & SHARE LIFE TOGETHER IN ONE OF THESE GROUPS! Schroeders - 620 Country Place West. Study: “The Star, The Cross, and the Crescent” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5pm. Koenig/Sossaman (Ladies/Widows) - Pahl House. Study: Max Lucado’s, “Glory” at 6pm. Bishops - 4803 Salem Rd., 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm studying: “If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat.” Yeakleys - (Excellent Way Bible Study Group) - 800 Loesch St, Tuesdays, at 6:30pm. Study: “Forgotten God; Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Sprit,” by Francis Chan. Atkins - 9250 Lake Dr. - Various times and subjects. Home Builders - Study: “Marriage Oneness,” will meet on the 1st & 3rd Sunday at 5:00pm in room 111. Young Adult Small Group - Young adults 18-29yrs are welcome. This group will be facilitated the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month at 5pm in room 111. W EEK LY B I B LE S T UDI ES & FEL LO W SHIP Men’s Prayer Breakfast Studying: “What Every Christian Ought to Know” Wednesdays, 6:00am - Sycamore House. Sweet Hour of Prayer: Thursdays, 10:00am - Syc. House Garage. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesdays, 6:30pm - Room 112. Life Lessons from Joseph: Wednesdays, Room 111, 6:30pm. L A DI ES B I B LE S T UDIES
The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer Starting February 3rd
• Wednesday 6:30pm Sycamore House. (Childcare available)
LADIES BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP CLASS • Meeting on Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am, in the Sycamore House. PRECEPT CLASSES STUDYING ZECHARIAH • Tuesdays 9:00am-11:00am in the Pahl House. • Wednesdays - 6:30pm-7:30pm in the Pahl House.
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ENCORE MINISTRY NEWS THE ENCORE MINISTRY IS ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING! Our Encore Ministry is comprised of Adults 55 yrs of age and above who know God has more for each of them to accomplish for His kingdom. Therefore, our Encore adults are growing in faith, community, ministry, missions and their love for others. Life Lessons from Joseph - Wednesdays Room 111, 6:30pm Topics include: Forgiveness. Guilt vs. Grace. Overcoming Success. GREAT STUFF Encore Catered Luncheon Thursday, February 25, 11:00am We will gather at Pahl Garage for a catered lunch. ($5 per person) CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAYS! Joe Hnatek Nelda Van Dyke Nancy Humphrey Mary Kay Billington Louis Ware Dayle Presswood David Karisch Jerry Culver, Sr Jim White Ernie Lewis Betty Bradley Judy Malone Karen Bell Ruby Lange (Kobs) 8
2/1 2/3 2/3 2/4 2/5 2/5 2/5 2/6 2/6 2/7 2/8 2/8 2/10 2/12
Gerald Byrket Juanita Atkins Truett O’Brien Karen Drummond Billie Schulze Alice Henderson Don Rehor Paula Little Sheran McCants Merlene Schumacher Harvey Bradley Doug Baker Lynn Koronka
2/12 2/13 2/14 2/14 2/16 2/18 2/20 2/22 2/23 2/24 2/25 2/26 2/28
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR February is often called the month of love. It is believed that the first valentines became popular during the seventeenth century, after printing technology had much improved. The first commercial cards in the United States were printed in the 1840’s. I think back to my childhood when we had to find a shoebox and cover it with crepe paper and hearts and cut a slit in the top for those eagerly awaited valentines to be placed in. At the end of the day we would go home and go over them several times. Do you remember looking for that one special one? Was the secret crush you had on someone reciprocated with a special valentine? You would either be very happy at the end of the day or maybe not so happy depending on what you had received in your special box. You know we can’t put God’s love in a box as there is no box that could hold it all. It is not meant to be kept in a box on a shelf anyway. It is meant to be shared with everyone we meet in life. God would have us to be out in the community sharing His love this month, so let us all focus on God’s love and the importance of sharing it with others. Blessings to you all, Reba Pair BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH “…By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 THOUGHT OF THE MONTH “The glory of life is to love not to be loved; to give not to get; to serve, not be served.” 9
STUDENT MINISTRY Great things are happening in the Student Ministry. We have several key events and vital dates to be aware of. Also, be sure to check out our online sign-ups! 1.) Disciple Now - This is always an intense, but so fun weekend of youth discipleship. I’m excited to be joining forces with Champion Fellowship. Our theme is “Next” and we’ll focus on moving to the next step in our Christian walk. And we’re thrilled to have the most sought after speaker around – Troy Sikes. 2.) Penitas Mission Trip - This will be our 3rd year traveling to south Texas with our sister church Anderson Baptist to build a house in a week during Spring Break. If you’re interested, please let me know. We need men to help with the building project. 3.) Honduras Mission Trip - We’ll be partnering again with our friends in Honduras, Keila & Mario as they minister to families and children in the remote villages. We’re also looking at opportunities within the city of Tegucigalpa. 4.) Fuge Camp - We are heading back to beautiful (& NOT humid) New Mexico for camp. The theme for the week is “Unashamed” based on Romans 1: 16-17 and our focus will be on living boldly in a secular world. As I read back through all that’s going on I realized that we are working as a body of believers with multiple churches (and not just the ones listed here.) I LOVE that! I never want to isolate myself and the ministry from benefiting from all that’s so great about the body of Christ – shared resources, collective wisdom, and expanded opportunities for growth, service, and love. Here’s a a handy dandydandy chart to chart hang onto your fridge: Here’s handy hang on your fridge: EVENT
Discipe Now
DATE Feb. 26 – 28
COST
DEPOSIT DUE
$40
Day of Event
Penitas Mission Trip Mar. 13-10
$129/person
FUGE Camp
June 21 – 28
$450
$50 – Apr. 30
Honduras
July 19 – 27
$1250
$100 – Mar. 19
10
DEADLINE
February 29
February 29
April 15
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” – John 12:26 Good Morning, God speaks and shows me what He wants me to do. This is the bottomline from the last Sunday in January. This truth from Experiencing God precedes the truth of I must have faith and take action to follow God and join in His work. It is much easier to write and memorize these truths than to live them out. Here is an example: Nicole and I had been married for 3 ½ years and she was pregnant with our firstborn, Joshua. As she was nearing the end of her pregnancy, we were facing a crisis of belief. I was a lab tech at a clinic in Conroe, as I was serving bi-vocationally as a children’s minister at a church in town. So, my passion was God’s work, but I was paid by the clinic. Since my passion was God’s work, I had committed to proclaim Him everywhere – even my secular job. After living this way in my job for several years, my faith was beginning to be attacked and strangled through many different avenues.*... *If you want the whole story please find me. I love to tell this story, but, for space, I am keeping the story short. Go to http://www.fbc-brenham.org/connect/children to read Alex’s article. Feb 1 Mar 13-19 Mar 21 Jun 5-9 Jun 11-18 Jul 11-15 Aug 10-11
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE
Camp Tejas Info Mtg/Kids Klub/6pm-6:30pm Family Mission Trip/Penitas, TX Kids/Youth Meal Fundraiser VBS/5:30pm-8:30pm beTWEENtime Discipleship Trip Camp Tejas 2:4 The Mission/1pm-1pm
THANK YOU Thank you to the parents who help in the kitchen on Wednesday nights.
NEEDS
The Wednesday night kids are fed each week before Bible Study. Currently, we need a new cook to prepare this food. If you are interested, please call Alex Morrison.
WINTER’S BIG IDEA
Experiencing God is knowing and doing the will of God.
WEEKLY BOTTOM LINE
Weekly Bottom Lines: 1. I must have faith and take action to follow God and join in His work. 2. I must be willing to make changes in my life to follow God’s plan. 3. I experience God and know Him better when I obey Him and do what He says. 4. I can experience God working in my life. 11
PRESCHOOL MINISTRIES SUNDAY MORNINGS IN FEBRUARY - EXPERIENCING GOD! MEMORY VERSE: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Just a few of the Bible stories we are going through on our journey to Experience God.
Hello Church Family, I hope you are enjoying the Experiencing God study that we are all going through. I know that here in the preschool ministry, we are having a great time hearing about those who have had the opportunity to experience God throughout the Bible and learning how we too can Experience God even when we are little. Isn’t it great to know that no matter our age or status God can bring any of us into a God story? I truly look forward to watching how God uses our little ones, you and our church to experience His greatness. Please continue to be in prayer for these little angels as they look for God at work all around them and hear God talking to them about where, they too, can join Him in His work. Thank you Doc Pair for making and putting up our new shelf/coat rack. It is beautiful and is such a blessing to our preschool.
Stacey
Happy Birthday To -
Cayd Conarroe 2-02-11 Roone Nelson 2-06-12 Gabriella Faske 2-23-10 Grayson Vaughn 2-24-14 MOTHER’S DAY OUT - KRISTIE MENDOZA
February Bible Verses: “...then those who were in the boat worshiped him in saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 “Love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 “ Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life… Whoever comes to me will never go hungry.” John 6:35 “...I was blind, but now I can see.” John 9:25 Bible Stories: Jesus calms the storm, The good Samaritan, Jesus feeds 5,000, The blind man. Color: Red, Orange, Yellow Letters: B, L, O, V Number: 10 (ten) Events: Valentine’s Day Party
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FBC SCHOOL & EEC 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us. Give that some thought. Really let that sink into your heart. We love because He first loved us. None of us are even capable of loving without God’s love for us. Think of what we would miss if it weren’t for that! As I start my eighth month of serving FBCS, I am fortunate to be able to love on the kids that walk through our doors every day. But, I’m only able to do so because of the Lord’s great love! This month, we will be learning more about the love of Jesus during chapel. Our sixth graders traditionally make secret valentines for staff members. Our goal is to teach our kids to love others and serve. This is a good opportunity for the students to put some action behind the love. The staff gets so excited wondering who their secret Valentine is. It encourages the staff, too. Our PreK students will be having a Valentine tea at BN&R. They, too, have an opportunity to love on the residents there. What a blessing! I encourage you to find ways to serve in love. Keep looking where God is moving and join Him! Serving Him, Nancy Jahns RE-ENROLLMENT FOR CURRENT STUDENTS BEGINS ON JANUARY 29TH February Events 11th PK to Brenham Nursing & Rehab. 2nd Ms. Lou-Lou - preschool 11th Athletic Recognition 1:45pm 3rd 100th Day of School in the gym 7th 6th grade trip to Austin 12th End of 4th Six Weeks 8th Enrollment to church members 5th grade trip to College Station 9th Enrollment opens to public - robotics & engineering program Class pictures 15th School closed for President’s Day 10th Class pictures EEC open PAL’s general meeting 5:30pm 17th Report cards go home in room 112 24th 6th grade tours at junior high
THANK YOU
Thank you for the love and support given to the school in recent meetings. FBCS is dedicated to FBC as well as the community.
PRAYER
Please pray for the following needs and events, and help if you can! Commit to praying for a class during the month of February. Please contact Kacy Kuespert at kacyok@gmail.com or 979-203-7884 for more information. We are accepting donations for the scholarship fund. Money donated helps families with the tuition cost of school. This is a huge benefit for the families that would otherwise be unable to keep their child here. The PAL’s organization has decided to change up Texas Celebration. We will be having a drive-thru meal on March 4th. Each BBQ plate is $10. Please contact a student or the school office (836-6411) for tickets. We will have a live & silent auction and kid friendly games on April 22 at the church. We are accepting items for the auctions. We will not be having the general store this year. We will be sending out details soon. 13
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Our Sympathies To: Georgiane Gessner and family in the loss of her grandfather.
Church Thank Yous: To my friends at BFB Church, Thank you so much for entrusting your caterings to Funky Art Café/Adams 205. Your continued support is so greatly appreciated! Wishing all of you a very healthy and Happy New Year. All the best, Connie Dear Church Members, Thank you for the beautiful plant the church gave us honoring our dad. Our family roots are deeply grounded in Brenham’s FBC. It’s been a privilege to serve, fellowship, and worship with you through these many years. We greatly appreciate the love you showed toward both our Mom and Dad. We pray that God will keep FBC’s light for Christ burning brightly. Blessings, Ed Boettcher’s family
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FROM TROY’S HEART We are over halfway through our Experiencing God series of sermons and Bible Studies. I hope you have found them to be meaningful in your spiritual journey. Personally, I have worked through the Experiencing God material numerous times over the past twenty years. Each time, God shows me new spiritual ground. Recently, God has reminded me of His continuing work in my life. When you have been in ministry as long as I have, you can get in the habit of doing a job and not see the spiritual work around you. From week one of our Experiencing God series, I have been asking God to help me see His work around me. I have consciously looked at each phone call, personal encounter or circumstance as an opportunity from God to experience Him. I believe one such recent situation God has brought our way is a perfect opportunity to see how He is at work around us. As we have been discussing how we can best minister through First Baptist Church School, I believe God has been showing us the needs of the people in our community. Specifically, how much the ministry of our school impacts children and families. God is at work!! As we see His work, will we prayerfully be obedient to be involved in His work? If so, we must realize there will be major adjustments on our part to join Him!! When we make those adjustments to follow God’s leading, we will experience a fresh spiritual wind among us. I can’t wait to set the sails!! I love you, Troy 15
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